VIA shows its US $49 Android computer

Tweaktown managed to get a neat hands-on with VIA's new APC (Android PC) system based on new Neo-ITX form factor that packs almost everything on a motherboard that is half the size of a standard mini-ITX motherboard.

The new VIA APC is based on 800MHz VIA WonderMedia ARM 11 SoC chip with 512MB of DDR3 memory and 2GB of onboard flash storage. The rest of the features include four USB ports, Gigabit ethernet port, microSD card slot for additional storage, integrated audio and D-Sub and HDMI outputs.

VIA used a heavily modified Google Android 2.3 OS in order to bring keyboard and mouse support. The OS of choice practically eats away those 2GB of flash storage but there is still an option for additional storage via microSD card slot or USB ports. Unfortunately HDMI output is limited to 720p playback with hardware acceleration, but considering its 13.5W of maximum power consumption (4W idle), we must say that we are impressed.

VIA plans to start shipping the new APC by end of June/early July with an incredible price tag of US $49. It will also sell it directly from www.apc.io and pre-orders should start pretty soon.